HARDIN COUNTY, Ky. — In an effort to recruit more drivers, Hardin County Schools is increasing its bus driver pay.

What You Need To Know

  • New Hardin County bus drivers will make about $20.15 an hour

  • The district, which has about 185 drivers, is hoping to hire 15 more drivers for next school year

  • The district transports around 12,000 students daily 

  • Hardin County Schools' first day is Aug. 7, 2024 

They will now make $2 more an hour, meaning new hires could make more than $20 an hour.

The district said it always needs drivers, and next school year is no exception. It said it has about 185 drivers, but it’s hoping to get 15 more.

Due to the shortage, some field trips may be cut short.

“It's one of those things that if we got those 15 … it would be kind of uncharted territory for us, but because we would be able to allow schools to take those field trips that were during route times so we could get them there and get them back, the kids wouldn't have to miss out on some of those opportunities,” said Chris Corder, director of transportation for Hardin County Schools.

Corder said four drivers were hired last week, and nine will go through training next week. On average, about eight to 15 drivers call out daily, so there is a need for substitute drivers.

“Our numbers are looking better ... we always have some vacancies because we've never had enough substitute drivers," Corder said. "Some of the things we're hiring for now may be substitute positions."

The district is now paying about $20.15 an hour for new drivers, and it also offers training to get drivers behind the wheel.

“The people that establish the relationships and talk get to really know their students," Corder said. "They thrive in this position, and they really like it," 

He said the routes are going to be fluid the first couple weeks of school, but parents can expect a dependable pickup and drop-off time by Labor Day.

“We just ask parents for flexibility when the year starts because nothing is going to run smooth," Corder said. "As we've seen in other districts, nothing ever runs smoothly the first week of school." 

Due to the rural nature of some parts of Hardin County, their 200 bus drivers will do a total of more than 18,000 miles daily, Corder added. 

The district transports around 12,000 students daily and is one of the state's largest.

HCS’ first day of school is Aug. 7, 2024.

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